Lever-actuated valve device having particular trip cable operator means



1966 w. D. BEHLEN ETAL 3,233,864

LEVER-ACTUATED VALVE DEVICE HAVING PARTICULAR TRIP CABLE OPERATOR MEANS Filed Dec. 20, 1963 k 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTOEAE/A" Feb. 8, 1966 w. D. BEHLEN ETAL 3,23

LEVER-ACTUATED VALVE DEVICE HAVING PARTICULAR TRIP CABLE OPERATOR MEANS Filed Dec. 20, 1963 4 Sheets$heet 2 11 4475? D. BEA/LEN 52 1/52 u! A EA/Kf Feb. 8, 1966 w. D. BEHLEN ETAL 3,

LEVER-ACTUATED VALVE DEVICE HAVING PARTICULAR TRIP CABLE OPERATOR MEANS Filed Dec. 20, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 146446751929 BEA/LEN ELAIEQ Hill K5 3y QM Y Y drrakli) Feb. 8, 1966 W. D. BEHLEN ETA L 3,233,864 LEVER-ACTUATED VALVE DEVICE HAVING PARTICULAR TRIP CABLE OPERATOR MEANS Filed Dec. 20, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent LEVER-ACTUATED VALVE DEVICE HAVING PAR- TICULAR TRIP CABLE OPERATOR MEANS Walter D. Behlen and Elmer J. Henke, Columbus, Nebn,

assignors to Behlen Manufacturing Company, Inc.,

Columbus, Nebn, a corporation of Nebraska Filed Dec. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 332,123 9 Claims. (Cl. 251243) This invention relates to a liquid feed system and in particular to the apparatus for dispensing the liquid feed to animal feeding stations.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mixing tank holding water or the like and grain material wherein the water or the like may be automatically removed from the tank and returned to the bottom of the tank holding the grain material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a feed dispensing conduit having a discharge port containing a valve means'which is automatically operated by a trip cable means which holds the valve in an open position for a predetermined time at predetermined intervals of time.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a liquid feed system wherein a series of discharge ports in a dispensing conduit are sequentially opened and closed by a moving cable having a trip means thereon.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a liquid feed system having a feed dispensing conduit with one or more discharge valves which operatively frictionally engage means on a moving cable for opening the valves to permit discharge of a predetermined amount of liquid feed to an adjacent feeding station.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a liquid [feed system having a feed dispensing conduit including discharge ports with valves which do not interfere with the flow of liquid through the conduit when in a closed position and serve as guide means for directing the liquid out through the discharge ports when the valves are open.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for dispensing liquid feed to animal feeding stations which is simple in design, economical to manufacture and refined in appearance.

This invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device,

whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the complete liquid feed system showing a mixing tank receiving grain from a storage bin, water or the like and a discharge conduit in communication with the tank for recirculating the liquid and dispensing it to feeding stations;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cable and button means for actuating the discharge valves and also the electrical switch and motor for driving the cable;

FIG. 3 is a bar graph showing the relative length of time for each operation in the process cycle;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the electrical wiring employed in the liquid feed system;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a discharge port in the feed dispensing conduit, and the associated assembly for connecting the valve means to the movable cable;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the assembly in FIG. 5 as viewed from the right side;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the valve actuating assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 5 but showing the valve in its open position, whereas FIG. 5 shows the valve in its closed position just prior to being moved to its open position by the cable button means;

"ice

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary end elevation view of an alternative valve and actuating assembly as viewed from the left in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the alternative valve and valve actuating assembly showing in particular the trip arm prior to being actuated by the cable button means and then in dash lines after engagement with the cable button means and additionally the position of the valves when closed and opened.

In FIG. 1 the complete liquid feed system is shown to include a mixing tank 10 which receives grain 12 from a grainery 14 and a feed dispensing and recirculating assembly 16.

The tank 10 may be supplied with water through a pipe 18 which is controlled by a solenoid valve 20. A float member 22 rides in the liquid 24 in the tank 10 and serves to actuate switches 26 and 28. The switch 26 controls the solenoid water valve 20 while the switch 28 is adapted to operate a motor 30 which drives an auger 32 associated with the lgrainery 14.

A movable outlet pipe 34 is coupled by a hose 36 to a pump and motor 38. The input end 40 of the outlet pipe 34 is held near the upper level of the liquid 24 by a float 42. Consequently, since the grain settles to the bottom of the tank 10, only liquid will be discharged through the outlet pipe 34. The outputof the pump and motor 38 is connected to a feed dispensing conduit 44 which extends upwardly of the tank 10 and horizontally above animal feeding stations 46 and 48. The feed dispensing conduit 44 has a return pipe portion 50 which is connected to the very bottom of the mixing tank 10. Thus, it is seen that liquid may be taken from the top of .the tank 10 and either dispensed at the feeding stations 46 and 48 or returned to the tank 10 to mix with the grain in the bottom of the tank.

Spaced along the feed dispensing conduit 44 are feed valve assemblies 52 and 54 which have tubes 56 and 58 respectively connected thereto for depositing the liquid feed into the feeding trough at the feeding stations 46 and 48.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the details and operation of the valve 52, identical to valve 54, will be discussed. A T-joint 60 is disposed in the conduit 44 with the center pipe portion 62 extending downwardly and secured to the tube 56 by a pair of coupling members 64 which extend along only a portion of the periphery of the portion 62 and the tube 56 in order that air may enter the tube 56. A closeure plug 66 is adapted to seal oil the input port in the portion 62. A rod 68 is pivo-tally connected to the plug 66 and extends through the top wall of the T member 60 and between a pair of parallel upwardly extending plates '70 and 72 which are bolted to the T member 60 on opposite sides of the portion 62. The plates 70 and 72 have an aligned slot 74 and randomly aligned holes 76 which are adapted to receive a stop pin 78. A second pair of parallel vertically extending plates 80 and 82 extend between plates 78 and 72 on the outside of the rod 68 and are pivotally connected by a bolt 84 to the plates 70 and 72. These plates have a horizontal slot 86 as viewed in FIG. 5 which intersects the slot 74. At the point of intersection of the slots 74 and 86, a pin 88 is received which is connected to an eye portion at the upper end of the rod- 68. The valve assembly 52 is normally held in a closed position by a spring 90 which extends between the outer end of a member 92 which is fixedly secured by a clevis portion to the outer face of the plates 80 and 82. The other end of the spring 90 is connected to a bolt Q4 which extends through the uppermost end of the plates 80 and 82.

Also connected to the bolt 94 is a spring clamp 96 which includes a lower element 98 having downwardly extending parallel wings 104) and 102 pivotally connected to the plates 86 and 82 by the bolt 94. The element 98 is semi circular in cross-section and has an enlarged end portion 101. The clamp 96 is completed by a second element 103 which is similar in cross-section to element $8 having an. enlarged end portion 104. A pair of ears 1% and 16% extend outwardly in opposite directions from the element 98 and have openings therein which are in alignment with complementary ear. portions 1-10'and 1112 carried by the upper clamp element 103. A pair'of bolts 114 which carry springs 1 16 extend through the aligned openings in the ear portions'to yieldably hold the clamp elements 98 and 163 in mating engagement. Since the ears on the elements 98 and 103 are formed at'the end opposite the enlarged portions 101 and 3164, the clamp 96 may spring open at the enlarged end.

A valve actuating trip cable 126 is threaded through each of the clamps 1'6 associated with the valves 52 and 54. The cable 120' carries thereon a length of rubber sleeve 122. A clamp element 124 with ,forward inwardly tapered side edges is secured to'the tube 122 and adjustably secured by a set screw to the cable 120. As seen in'FIG. 1, the cable 120 is carried on pulleys 1'26 and 128 positioned at opposite ends of the dispensing conduit 44 whereby the .cable extends through each of the clamps 96 for actuating the valves 52 and 54. As will be more full described hereinaf terythe clamp portion 124- on the cable 120 actuates a'micro switch 136 during each revolution on the pulleys 126 and 128. The switch 130 in turn controls the motor 132 which drives the cable 126 (FIG. 2).

The steps of operation of'the liquid feed system are gen erally apparent from the bar graph shown in FIG. 3. The operation begins with the tank 16 filled with a separated mixture of water and feed. First, the pump motor 38 is started to circulate the liquid 24 out'of the tank 10 through the dispensing conduit 44 and back into the tank 10 for mixing with the settled grain in the bottom of the tank. After approximately four minutes the cable motor begins operation and moves the tube "122 into frictional engagement with the clamp 96 carried on the trip arm comprised-ofthe -parallel plates' stl and'82. 'The trip arm in turn pivotingabou-t the bolt 84- connected to the plates7tl and 72 lifts the plug 66 out of the closed position in the T-joint 6% for discharge of the liquid feed into the tube 56. After the trip arm :plates 8t) and 82 have been engaged by the tube 122 and clamp 124, they the pivoted to the position shown in FIG. 7 into engagement with the stop pins 73 and held there until the tube 12-2 leaves the clamp 96. The springs 1 16 on the clamp 96 should be adjusted to a point where the trio- Itional engagement with the tube 122 is great enough to carry'the trip-arm to thestop pin '78 and then allow the tube 122 to pass therethrough. After the tube 122 has separated from the clamp 96, the spring automatically pivots the plates 80 and 82 back to theirnormal position, as shown in FIG. 5 thereby closing the valve 52. It is noted that the rod 68 moves in a vertical plane from its closed position of FIG. 5 to its open position in FIG. 7 since the slot 74 in the outer parallel plates 70 and 72 limits any lateral movement.

Referring again to the bar graph in FIG. 3, it is seen that simultaneously the cable motor 132 is stopped and the water valve 26 is opened to permit water to enter the tank through the pipe 18, during which time, however, the pump motor 38 isstill operating. When the pump motor andthe water valve are shut ofi or closed, the feed auger 32 operated by the motor 30, delivers feed or grain from the grainery -14 to "the :tank 10 for soaking in the bottom thereof with the water or liquid 24.

The electrical circuitry for the operation of the liquid feed system of this invention is shown by the schematic drawing in FIG. 4. A timer 146 is connected lb6llW6Il power lines 142 and 144. The timer 140 is preset to operate at given intervals to run the feed system through 4 its complete cycle during each period of operation. When the switch in the timer 146 is manually or automatically actuated to an on position, the line 146 connected to the input line 142 is energized thereby completing a circuit through the coil 148 of a starter 150 for the pump motor 38. The relay 152 is in a normally up position until its coil 154isenergized, consequently the power line 144 is complete through the relay 15 2 to-the bottom terminal of thecoil1480f.therstarterlfitl. After a'three to live minute thermo delay during the operation otthe pump motor 38, the-relay 156, is closed-thereby completing the electrical circuit -through the cable motor 132. The button or tubing 12l2=onithe cable moves along and trips the feed valves 52 and 54 and shuts motor 132 otf by movingswitch 1 30 tothe down position. Asa result of removal of liquid 24 from the tank 16, the float 22 moves down into the tank and at a-predetermined ilevel actuate's switch lti-to an up-position toenergize the Water solenoid valve 20 whereby the tank 10 is efilled again toitsnormal level'for water-without grain and theswitch 26 moves'to the down position. The cable tube i.clarnp 124 moves the switch 166 to its down position and after the tankitl'has been'replenished to a predeterminedlevel with water, the switch 26 is moved to itsxzlown position thereby energizing thecoil 1'54 andthereby moving the relay 152 to it-s down position. Since the feed control switch 28isclosed'by'the first dropinitheiliquid 24 level in the tank 10, the circuit through the feed motor '30 is the'n'complete andthe auger 32 begins supplyinglfeed ll-to the tank lti-and continues to-.do so until the liquid Z4 level in the tank 10 rises to a-predeterrnined level whereby the float I22 opens the :switch '28. It is noted that when-the relay r152 moved to itsdownposition, it simutlaneouslyopened the-circuit through the pump motor 38by de-energizing'the coil 143 withstarter'15i] moving toits uppositiomas shown in F16. 4. The second-water level which'the float operated switch 2%) senses isdetermined by the amount a the water level rises when the proper proportion of grain is added to :the .water. One example is the addition of one .pound of grain to 2.4 pounds-of water raises the water level 28%. After one cycle of operation is-completed, the timer will start the operation over again at apredetermin'ed time, usually set for-the time which the animals being .fed would want another feeding. It is apparent that the grain being'added at the end of each :cycle has su'fiicient .time :to absorb moisture and therebybe more palatable and digestible by the animals attheir-nex-t feeding.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a valve assembly 52a and its associated *trip' arm assembly" are shown as :an alternative to the .identical valve assemblies and trip arms 52 and 54. The spring loaded frictional-clamp :96 on the cable 120 isthesame as shown in connection with'the valve assemblystructures 52 and '54. The difference however, lies in the fact that the plug is conical in cross-section and has 'a rounded top, but more importantly is moved into and outof engagement with the center outlet port portion 62 of the 'T-joint 60, by centrally disposed vertical plate'element' 162-secured to the-plug-160 at its lower apex. A igenerally :U-sh'ap'ed support frame 164 :is connected at its central portion to the plate element 1'62 and has .itsisidellegs 166 and 168 extending upwardly from'within thetube56 to a'verticalzpoint above .the dispensing conduit '44- where the legs 166 and 168 are pivotally connected to the outer side of the lower end of a trip arm '1'69which'comprises a pair of plates 170 and 172. These plates are se'curedat their center by a pin 174 with a spacer 176 thereon between the plates 170 and 172. The trip arm 169 is pivotally mounted on a vertical plate 1% extending longitudinally of the conduit 44 'and held thereto by a pair of clamps 184. The pivotal connection between'the plate 180 and the trip arm ;169.is provided by a bolt 186 which carries a pair of spacers 190 oniopposite sides of'the plate 180. The plug 184 is maintained in a closed position by a pair of springs 192 secured to the lower edges of the trip arm plates 170 and 172 with the other ends of the springs being connected at a common point on the plate 180. A

line of horizontal holes 194 are formed adjacent the upper edge of the plate 180 to receive a stop pin 196 which is engaged by the trip arm 169 as it moves to the dash line position, as shown in FIG. 9. The extent to which the valve 52a is opened is controlled by location of the stop pin 196 since the farther the trip arm 169 pivots to the right, as viewed in FIG. 9, the higher the plug 160 will be raised in the T-joint 60. It is also apparent that as the plug 160 is raised, it also acts to restrict the conduit 44 for a more positive feed dump into the tube 56. The liquid feed will strike the tapered outer surface of the conical plug 160 and be directed downwardly into the tube 56. However, when the plug 160 is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid may circulate through the conduit 44 without the interference of any obstruction, since the plug is supported by the plate element 162 from beneath. The trip arm 169 at its top end has flared outwardly portions 198 and 200 on the plates 170 and 172. These portions 198 and 200 are hingedly connected by a pin 292 to the lower clamp element 98a. The clamp 96 in all other respects is identical to the clamp 96 shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. It is noted, that a positive support and connection is provided between the plate 162 and the U-shaped support bracket 164 by the fact that the plate 162 is bifurcated at its lower end and receives the center portion of the U-shaped bracket 164 which has been twisted 90 degrees to matingly fit. into the slotted end of the plate 162.

From a consideration of the foregoing disclosure, it will be obvious that all of the initially recited objects of the present invention have been achieved.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of our dispensing apparatus without departmg from the real spirit and purpose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim:

1. In a liquid feed dispensing system, comprising,

a feed material conduit having a downwardly extending outlet port with a lower open end,

a U-shaped member having its legs extending on opposite sides of said port and its base portion extend ing across the opening in said port,

a valve means connected to said base portion and adapted to extend into said port,

a trip arm hingedly connected to said U-shaped member and operatively pivotally mounted on said conduit for raising and lowering said U-shaped member, and

means coupled to said trip member for moving it to a first position to close said valve means in said port and to a second position to open said valve means.

2. In a liquid feed dispensing system, comprising,

a feed material conduit having a downwardly extending outlet port with a lower open end,

a U-shaped member having its legs extending on opposite sides of said port and its base portion extending across the opening in said port,

a valve means connected to said base portion and adapted to extend into said port,

a cable adapted to move adjacent said U-shaped member,

a button means on said cable,

a trip arm hingedly connected to said U-shaped member and operatively pivotally mounted on said conduit,

a spring means for yieldingly pivoting said arm in one direction to close said valve in said port,

a releasable clamp means mounted on said trip arm for engagement with said button means on said cable, and

said button means adapted to move into engagement with said clamp means to pivot said trip arm against said spring and move said valve to an open position in said port, said button adapted to pass through said clamp means and permit said spring means to return said arm to its normal position thereby closing said valve.

3. In a liquid feed dispensing system, comprising,

a feed material conduit having a plurality of downwardly extending outlet ports spaced therealong, each of said ports having a U-shaped member with its legs extending upwardly on opposite sides of said port and its base portion extending across the bottom of said port,

a valve means connected to said base portion and extending into said port,

a cable adapted to move adjacent each of said ports,

a button means on said cable,

a trip arm hingedly connected to said U-shaped member and operatively pivotally mounted on said conduit,

a spring means for yieldingly pivoting said arm in one direction in a plane parallel to the movement of said cable to maintain said valve in a normally closed position in said port,

a releasable clamp means mounted on said trip arm for engagement with said button means, and.

said button means on said cable adapted to sequentially move into engagement with each clamp means and pivot the associated arm against its spring to open its valve, and upon said button passing through said clamp means said spring pivoting said arm to its normal position thereby closing said valve.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said clamp means comprises a pair of jaws being semi circular in crosssection.

5. The structure of claim 3 wherein said clamp means comprises a pair of jaws which are semi circular in cross-section and in mating facing relationship, and each having one end tapered outwardly to guide the button means on said cable therebetween.

6. In a liquid feed dispensing system, comprising,

a feed material conduit having a downwardly extending outlet port with a lower open end,

a U-shaped member having its legs extending on 0pposite sides of said port and its base portion extending across the opening in said port,

a valve means connected directly to said base portion whereby when said U-shaped member is moved upwardly said valve means is moved to an open position in the passageway of the feed material conduit,

a trip arm hingedly connected to said U-shaped member and operatively pivot-ally mounted on said conduit,

a spring means for yieldingly pivoting said arm in one direction to lower said U-shaped member and thereby close said valve means in said port,

a releasable clamp means mounted on said trip arm,

a movable cable positioned adjacent said clamp means,

a button means on said cable, and

said button means adapted to pass into engagement with said clamp means as said cable is moved and move said trip arm again-st the action of said spring, which in turn lifts said U-shaped member upwardly and opens said valve in said port, and said button is adapted to be released from said clamp means after said arm has moved a predetermined distance and the moving force on said cable exceeds the opposing frictional froces of said clamp means on said button.

7. In a liquid feed dispensing system, comprising,

a feed material conduit having an outlet port,

7 a valve means in said conduit adapted to move in a verticahplane to a first position closing said port and to a second position opening said port,

atrip -arm-.connected tosaid valverneans and pivotally connected atxa point spaced therefrom to said conduit, said arm being adapted to pivot-in a vertical plane from-a first position with said valve in its-closedposition to a second position moving said valve toits openposition,

a spring means secured to said arm normally urging it'towards 'saidfirst position,

a releasable clamp means mounted on said trip arm,

a movable 'cable;positioned-adjacent said clamp means,

a button on said cable and said butt-on adapted to pass -into engagement with said clamp means'a-s said ca'ble'is movediand pivot said trip arm to said second position, and said :button :is adapted to be released from said clamp means after the moving force on said t-cable-exeeeds the opposingfrictional foroes of said-clampon said button.

8. In a liquid feed dispensing system, :eornprising,

I a :feed material conduit, a discharge evalve insaid-Jconduit,

a trip arm means connected to said valve and adapted to open said valve when moved in one direction,

a 'movable cable extending adjacent said .trip iarm,

means for returning said arm to its initial position .with said valve in a closed position.

9. In a'liquid feed dispensing system, comprising,

a-fe-ed material conduit,

a plurality of discharge valves in said conduit,

a trip .arrn means connected to each of said valves and adapted to open said valves When moved in one direction,

a movable eable extending adjacent each of said trip arms,

means on said cablefor sequentially engaging said trip arms to move them in said one direction as said cable is moved,

a clamp meansis provi-ded on each of said arms for engagement with said means on said cable, each of said clamps having a spring means -for yieldingly holding saidclamp ina closed condition, and said means on said cable adapted to move through said .cla-mp andout of engagementtherewith-assaideable is moved and therebypermit said arms to move intheop'posite direction'for closing said valves, and

means :for returning said arms to their initial position with .said-valvesina closed position.

References Cited bylthe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 967,561 11/1957 Heinermann et'al. 251-294 1,059,188 3/1954 Ae'razur 25 l--'294 L t 58 ,058 6/1923 Hoppes 1'1 951 1,580,499 4/ 1926 'Kruttschnitt 74-104 2,233,717 '3/1941 -Sh'ogran 251 294 2,563,331 8/1951 Ha-g'er 119- 51 3,030L065 4/1962 Wallace '25'123l XR MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Acting "Primary Examiner.

HUGHR. CHAMBLEE, ISADORQWEIL, Examiners. 

1. IN A LIQUID FEED DISPENSING SYSTEM, COMPRISING, A FEED MATERIAL CONDUIT HAVING A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING OUTLET PORT WITH A LOWER OPEN END, A U-SHAPED MEMBER HAVING ITS LEGS EXTENDING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PORT AND ITS BASE PORTION EXTENDING CROSS THE OPENING IN SAID PORT, A VALVE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID BASE PORTION AND ADAPTED TO EXTEND INTO SAID PORT, A TRIP ARM HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID U-SHAPED MEMBER AND OPERATIVELY PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID CONDUIT FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID U-SHAPED MEMBER, AND MEMBER COUPLED TO SAID TRIP MEMBER FOR MOVING IT TO A FIRST POSITION TO CLOSE SAID VALVE MEANS IN SAID PORT AND TO A SECOND POSITION TO OPEN SAID VALVE MEANS. 